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Place Matters - Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain Community Assets

Jamaica Plain, known as “JP” to residents, is well-known for being bordered by several parks that make up Boston’s “Emerald Necklace”, including Jamaica Pond, Olmstead Park, Franklin Park and the Arnold Arboretum. With over 38,000 residents, 50% are White, 23% are Latino, 17% are Black and 7% are Asian. Per capita annual income here is $23,637 and 21% of this neighborhood’s residents live in poverty.

Like many neighborhoods in Boston, Jamaica Plain has seen several waves of gentrification. Originally, in the pre-Revolutionary War era, wealthy English families built grandiose estates in this community. Following this, in the 19th century wealthy Bostonians began to build “country”, summer homes around Jamaica Pond and some of the many parks. Since then, the areas of Hyde Square and Jackson Square have grown significantly with Spanish-speaking populations, with many residents hailing from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. In the 1980s, the gay community began settling into Jamaica Plain and today there is a vibrant and growing GLBTQ population. The growing potpourri of cultures can be seen in the businesses and restaurants that dot Centre Street.

 Community Statistics

Data presented in the Boston Public Health Commission's Health of Boston report routinely demonstrates that Boston's Black and Latino residents experience higher levels of chronic disease, mortality, and poorer health outcomes than White residents. These persistent health disparities are driven by the interaction of several factors including racism, living conditions, physical environment, socioeconomic status, food security, lifestyle, available health services, and existing health policies. The data provided offers a broad picture of the health experience of our city, identifies individuals and communities at greatest risk for certain conditions, and stimulates discussion among individuals within our communities. Understanding the city's diversity is essential to developing policies and strategies that address health equity in Boston.

 Jamaica Plain Population by Race and Ethnicity

 Jamaica Plain Languages Spoken  Jamaica Plain Countries of Birth

Sources:

Boston Public Health Commission 2010 HOB Report
Heart of the City- Southwest Corridor
Jamaica Plain Open Space Map
My Neighborhood: Boston
Center for Health Equity and Social Justice - Boston Public Health Commission - 1010 Massachusetts Avenue - Boston, MA 02118.
Phone: 617-534-2291  |  Email: healthequity@bphc.org | Website: www.bphc.org/healthequity